Six arrested in major boiler room investigation - 24 February 2016

Six people have been arrested this morning for their alleged involvement in investment frauds and money laundering following a major 20-month investigation by a joint Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) taskforce.

The joint taskforce based at the CCC commenced Operation Lima Violin II in July 2014. The focus of the investigation was on serious organised investment fraud and money laundering offences that were allegedly related to cold call investment frauds or boiler room frauds that had occurred in the past on the Gold Coast.

The CCC’s Executive Director Crime, Kathleen Florian, said the four men and two women arrested today was the result of a dedicated investigation by a multi-disciplinary team that included detectives, financial investigators, intelligence officers and forensic computing specialists.

“The joint CCC-QPS taskforce has focused on those people who facilitated the frauds and ultimately their alleged role in these organised syndicates has led to serious criminal charges being brought against them,” Ms Florian said.

“It will be alleged that some of those facing charges were directors or senior employees of a private investigation firm and were involved in perpetrating frauds against members of the community via a number of different companies and schemes over an extended period of time.

“Considering these alleged offences occurred some years prior to the establishment of the taskforce, there was a substantial amount of financial analysis required during this investigation and the CCC’s expertise in this area has been critical in gathering evidence to put before the court.”

State Crime Command’s Taskforce Maxima Commander Michael Niland said,

“These crimes have had enormous impact on many of the victims. They have suffered substantial financial losses. This investigation has highlighted the lengths and complexity organised crime are prepared to engage in to facilitate their criminal activities.

“We will continue to target the facilitators of organised crime who enable these crimes to flourish. Queensland Police Service capability to tackle organised crime is enhanced through these ongoing strong partnerships with the Crime and Corruption Commission and Australian Taxation Office and national law enforcement agencies”.

A 52-year-old Upper Coomera man, a 32-year-old Upper Coomera woman, a 21-year-old Pimpama man, a 36-year-old Helensvale man, a 32-year-old Robina man and a 39-year-old Upper Coomera woman are all expected to be charged with aggravated fraud offences later today at the Brisbane City Watchhouse. Four of the people arrested today are also expected to be charged with money laundering.

Two of those facing charges today have previously been charged by the CCC with aggravated fraud and money laundering offences related to other companies during an earlier phase of the investigation. A further two people have previously been charged with aggravated fraud.

As the investigation remains ongoing, it is not appropriate for the CCC or the QPS to comment further.